Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General 98 vs. 00

As a potential SVTC purchaser I have no bias and have spend some time thinking about both wheel styles. Initially I liked the E1 wheels much better. I thought they were a cleaner, sharper design. But the more I thought about things the more I have come to feel that the E0 wheels are of a design that more cohesive with the style of the car. They have a rounded, organic muscular style to them that is very much the character of the SVT itself. So while I still like the E1 wheels on their own, I think the E0 wheels are more appropriate for this body style. I think the E1 style wheels look better on 'edgy' style cars-like the Focus. Take a long look at the Contour's design elements, front and rear, up and down and get a feel for the predominant character of the car. Then add the wheels to the equation. Let please post whether or not this has any effect on you think. I'm curious how others see things.

Thanks

duc

Thanks and I agree the car looks more aggresive with the E1's. For some reason the E0's on a black or dark car look much better IMHO. The shape of the spokes flow with the head and tails of the pre98 better then the later cars. Just don't call them plastic looking. :p

That's my impression from looking at my neighbors dad's svt. Sorry if it angers you but that's what I see when I look at em.

I think that the fact that people are all wound up about the focus wheels (exact same in 17") says alot.

I've seen a lot of modded tours that have the 5 spoke aftermarket wheels (RS5 I think) that are of a very similar design.

When I looked at my car in one driveway and the 98 in the next driveway over, my wheels look to be much higher quality. I'm rambling on and since I have a '00 I don't want to change any unbiased posters.

I've never done a poll, can anyone find a close-up shot of the 98 and 00 and post a poll?

And I didn't want to mention the 5 horsepower :p

Now let us not forget all the decontenting that went on from the 98's to the 00's. I think that is more of a major difference than the wheels or the 5 horses.

98 - no spoiler
98.5-00 - Spoiler was an option. Meaning they could be had either way!

98, 98.5 = 195HP

99-00 = 200HP (numerous upgrades & changes!)

From a performance stand point the 2 best years to buy are 99 & 00 with the 00 making better power gains due to it's higher CR & better PCM. The 00 is returnless though so adding forced induction would require more work & parts.

The 98 "soft wheel" are ugly, weigh more, and IMO just plain detract from the car's appearance. They really do look like a cheap hub cap style!

Spoilers were a FACTORY option on in 2000. They were a DEALER installed option before that.

As for the difference in wheels, when I first saw the photos of the E1 with the new style wheels I felt somewhat cheated. Once I parked my car next to one with the newer style wheels I felt that the new wheel did not look nearly as good in person. For a while I felt that the new wheel was perhaps slightly better looking, but not enough to buy another set. As time has passed, I kind of feel that the car looks better with the old style wheels.

What it boils down to, in my opinion, is that they both look good. It's a toss up.

As to which year is best is also a toss up. Along with the upgrades (better front strut valving in 98.5 and 5 moe HP in 99) there was also decontenting that went along with it. Thinner sun visors, no trim around the trunk release lever, removal of the counterbalance from the glove box door, less content on the gauge faces, slightly less displacement, revised exhaust pipe routing, and the list goes on and on. The most insulting of all was the deconting of the quality of the dash glue on the 99 and 00.

I own a 99 and think that they E0 wheels are nicer.

I agree they echo the lines of the car better, and look fine in a 16" size. However, center caps are a pain in the butt. They get damaged when service techs take your wheels off.

The E1 wheels really need to be 17" to look good. I also think the 215/50/16 size tires look a little undersized for the car (sidewall a bit too short given it's only a 16" rim). (I'm getting 225/50/16s next time).

The SVT Focus wheels would be perfect, except the offset brings the rims a bit too far in the fender. 10 mm less offset on those and they'd be perfect.

Kerry

I think ALL Contours look way better with a spoiler. The Contour's ass looks too small without the spoiler. The back of the Contour looks like it curves down without the spoiler. I hate trunks that do that. It all comes down to personal preference, though.

I love my E0s but I like the E1s too.

Its not that hard to gain back the 5 hp that the Pre 99's dont have. Just buy the UIM and your good to go. Both wheels look nice but the lighter the wheels the better.

One great thing about the 98-98.5's are the great door ding gaurds!!!
(Mine are off anyway )